Systems, Methods, and Apparatuses for Cooling Hot-Filled Containers

ABSTRACT

The disclosed subject matter relates to container holders configured to provide a stable support for containers held therein in order to efficiently cool the containers after a hot-fill or elevated temperature operation. The container holders can allow a fluid to pass from an inner volume of the container holder to outside the container holder through side apertures and/or an open bottom end of the container holder. Groups of containers and container holders also may be cooled. Groups of containers in container holders can be processed through the cooling operation at a speed different from a speed for holderless containers.

FIELD

The disclosed subject matter generally relates to cooling hot-filledcontainers. In particular, the disclosed subject matter involves coolinghot-filled containers using a container holder. Further, the disclosedsubject matter also relates to container processing at different speeds,namely, processing the containers at a first speed when containerholders are used and at a second speed when container holders are notused.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are directed generally tosystems, methods, and apparatuses for cooling hot-filled containers. Asused herein, the phrase “various embodiments” is intended to mean anembodiment, at least one embodiment, some embodiments, and/or allembodiments without limitation.

Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are directed to acontainer holder, comprising: a cylindrical sidewall forming an innervolume, a first open end, and a second open end; a base portion formedin one piece with said cylindrical sidewall at the second open end, saidbase portion extending from said cylindrical sidewall into the innervolume and including a hollow cylindrical portion concentric with saidcylindrical sidewall and a plurality of connecting portions couplingsaid hollow cylindrical portion to said cylindrical sidewall; and aplurality of slanted protrusions formed in one piece with saidcylindrical sidewall, said protrusions extending into the inner volumeat acute angles from said cylindrical sidewall and being configured tospace-apart from the cylindrical sidewall a container placed in theinner volume. The cylindrical sidewall includes a plurality of aperturesformed therein, each said aperture being configured to allow fluid toflow from the inner volume to the outside of the cylindrical sidewall tocool the container placed in the inner volume. Optionally, each saidprotrusion includes a cut-away portion, said cut-away portion beingconfigured to prevent the container placed in the inner volume frombeing removed from the inner volume. In various embodiments, the anglesof said protrusions are substantially the same for each protrusion.Optionally, a number of the plurality of protrusions is the same as anumber of the plurality of apertures. In various embodiments, theplurality of protrusions are fins, each said fin including a cut-awayportion configured to prevent the container placed in the inner volumefrom being removed from the inner volume. In various embodiments, eachsaid aperture is elongated in a direction parallel to a longitudinalaxis of said cylindrical sidewall. In various embodiments, said baseportion is configured to allow access to a vacuum panel of the containerplaced in the inner volume.

Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter also include anapparatus, comprising: at least one sidewall forming an inner volume, afirst open end, and a second open end, the at least one sidewallincluding fluid transfer means for transferring fluid between the innervolume and outside the inner volume, the fluid transfer means locatedintermediate the first and second ends; supporting means for supportinga container positioned thereon, said supporting means being formedintegrally with the at least one sidewall at the second open end, so asto extend from the at least one sidewall into the inner volume; andspacing means for spacing the container positioned on said supportingmeans from the at least one sidewall.

In various embodiments, said spacing means includes retaining means forretaining the plastic container within inner volume. Further, in variousembodiments, the fluid transfer means is configured to allow water toflow from the inner volume to the outside of the sidewall to cool acontainer placed in the inner volume on said supporting means.

Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a system forprocessing plastic containers, comprising: hot-filling means forhot-filling a plurality of plastic containers with a product; cappingmeans for capping the hot-filled plastic containers; placing means forplacing the plastic containers on respective container holding means forholding the plastic containers; positioning means for positioning saidcontainer holding means having respective hot-filled and capped plasticcontainers placed thereon, such that each said container holding meansis in contact with at least three other of said container holding means,and such that each plastic container is in a spaced-apart relationshipwith all other of the positioned plastic containers; and cooling meansfor cooling the hot-filled product in the positioned plastic containersfrom a hot state to a predetermined warm state. In various embodiments,each said container holding means includes: at least one sidewallforming an inner volume, a first open end, and a second open end, the atleast one sidewall including fluid transfer means for transferring fluidbetween the inner volume and outside the inner volume; containersupporting means for supporting the plastic container positionedthereon, said container supporting means being formed in one piece withthe at least one sidewall at the second open end, so as to extend fromthe at least one sidewall into the inner volume; and spacing means forspacing the plastic container positioned on said container supportingmeans from the at least one sidewall. Optionally, the hot state is about185 degrees Fahrenheit and the predetermined warm state is about 100degrees Fahrenheit. In various embodiments, a time period for thehot-filled product to cool from the hot state to the predetermined warmstate is about fourteen minutes to about eighteen minutes. In variousembodiments, said cooling includes subjecting the hot-filled and cappedplastic containers to room temperature water. Optionally, saidsubjecting to room temperature water lasts for no more than abouteighteen minutes. In various embodiments, said cooling includessubjecting the hot-filled and capped plastic containers to water coolerthan room temperature. Optionally, said subjecting to water cooler thanroom temperature lasts for no more than about eighteen minutes. Invarious embodiments, the fluid transfer means is configured to allowwater to flow from the inner volume to the outside of the sidewall toassist in the cooling.

In various embodiments, the system can further comprise inverting meansfor inverting a projection extending from each of the cooled plasticcontainers. The cooling can create a vacuum in the plastic container,and inverting the projection extending from the cooled plastic containeris performed to one of substantially removes the vacuum and creates anoverpressure in the plastic container.

A method of cooling groups of hot-filled containers, comprising: a stepfor hot-filling a plurality of plastic containers with a product; a stepfor capping the hot-filled plastic containers; a step for placing theplastic containers on respective container holders; a step for forming aplurality of groups from the plurality of plastic containers andassociated container holders, each said group including at least two ofsaid plastic containers and associated container holders; for eachgroup, a step for positioning the container holders having respectivehot-filled and capped plastic containers placed thereon, such that eachcontainer holder is in contact with other container holders of saidgroup, and such that each plastic container of the group is in aspaced-apart relationship with all other of said plastic containers inthe group; and a step for successively conveying each said group ofpositioned, hot-filled, and capped plastic containers in containerholders through room temperature water, such that the hot-filled productin the containers is cooled from a hot state to a warm state.

In various embodiments, the plurality of plastic containers andassociated container holders is seven, and said positioning furtherincludes positioning, at a center position, one of the container holdersand associated plastic container; and positioning the remaining sixcontainer holders and associated plastic containers of said seven, suchthat the remaining six container holders surround, and are in contactwith, the centrally positioned container holder. Optionally, the sevencontainer holders are banded together by a band configured to be placedaround, and in contact with, the six container holders that surround thecentrally positioned container holder. In various embodiments, the hotstate is about 185 degrees Fahrenheit and the warm state is about 100degrees Fahrenheit. In various embodiments, a time period for thehot-filled product to cool from the hot state to the warm state is aboutfourteen minutes to about eighteen minutes. In various embodiments, saidconveying each said group through room temperature water lasts for nomore than about eighteen minutes.

For the foregoing method, in various embodiments each said containerholder can include: a cylindrical sidewall forming an inner volume, afirst open end, and a second open end; a base portion formed in onepiece with the cylindrical sidewall at the second open end, said baseportion extending from the cylindrical sidewall into the inner volume,including a hollow cylindrical portion concentric with the cylindricalsidewall and a plurality of connecting portions coupling the hollowcylindrical portion to the cylindrical sidewall; and a plurality ofprotrusions formed in one piece with the cylindrical sidewall, each saidprotrusion extending at an angle from the sidewall into the innervolume, wherein the cylindrical sidewall includes a plurality ofapertures formed therein.

Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can also include amethod of cooling liquid in bottles from a hot state to a warm statewithin eighteen minutes, the method comprising conveying hot bottlesthrough room temperature water in pucks for no more than eighteenminutes, wherein the pucks provide for spacing apart of the hot bottleswith respect to one another. Optionally, the hot state is about 185degrees Fahrenheit and the warm state is about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.In various embodiments, said conveying includes conveying the hotbottles through room temperature water in pucks for about fourteenminutes.

Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter also involve amethod of processing containers at different speeds, depending uponwhether or not container holders are used, the method comprisingautomatically, autonomously, and electronically determining whether afirst container or group of containers has corresponding containerholders and performing cooling operations for the container orcontainers with holders at a first speed or rate, otherwise performingcooling operations for the container or containers without holders at asecond speed or rate, the first speed being greater than the secondspeed. The method can further comprise automatically switching betweenthe different speeds or rates depending upon whether a container with aholder or a container without a holder is detected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter. The disclosed subject matter will be best understood byreading the ensuing specification in conjunction with the drawingfigures, in which like elements are designated by like referencenumerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container holder according to variousembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container holder having a containerplaced therein according to various embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a container holder according to variousembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of container holder according to variousembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 5 is a profile view of a protrusion of a container holder accordingto various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a snap-fit container holder according tovarious embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the container holder of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an overhead view of the container of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an overhead perspective view of the container holder of FIG.6.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C show profile views of retainer members for usewith container holder of FIG. 6 according to various embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 11A is a side view of the container holder of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11B is a side view of the container holder of FIG. 6 with acontainer placed therein.

FIG. 11C is a cross sectional view of FIG. 11B.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a method according to various embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a method according to various embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 14 is an overhead view of a grouping of container holders andcorresponding containers according to various embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart for a method of processing containers atdifferent speeds, depending upon whether or not container holders areimplemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed subject matter generally relates to cooling hot-filledcontainers. In particular, the disclosed subject matter involves coolinghot-filled containers using a container holder. Further, the disclosedsubject matter also relates to container processing at different speeds,namely, processing the containers at a first speed when containerholders are used and at a second speed when container holders are notused.

The container for use with container holders, systems, and methodsaccording to various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter cantake any suitable shape and can be made from any suitable material,including, but not limited to, plastic, glass, rubber, etc. Moreover,the container can be filled with any suitable product, including, butnot limited to, carbonated beverages, non-carbonated beverages, water,tea, sports drinks, etc. Additionally, the product can be filled intothe container at any suitable temperature, including, but not limitedto, a hot-fill, a warm-fill, a room temperature-fill, cold fill, etc. Invarious embodiments, the product can be hot-filled into the container atany suitable temperature. For example, the temperature of a hot productfilled in container can be at a temperature of about 185 degreesFahrenheit.

Container holders according to various embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter can be any suitable apparatus configured to hold and/orsupport a container or containers. For example, container holdersaccording to various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter caninclude fin type, a snap type, non-snap type non-fin type, puck type,tray type, basket type, etc. Container holders according to variousembodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be any suitable shapeand size, such as, but not limited to a square, a cylinder, etc., andcan be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to,plastic, metal, rubber, etc. Additionally, the container holder 100 canbe made by any suitable process, including, but not limited to,injection molding, blow molding, compression molding, etc.

A container holder according various embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter will now be described with respect to FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 1 shows a fin type container holder 100 according to variousembodiments.

Container holder 100 according to various embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter can be used to hold and/or support a container orcontainers for any suitable purpose. For example, in variousembodiments, the container holder 100 can be used to hold and/or supporta container as the container is subjected to a cooling process. Thecontainer holder 100 also may be used to hold and/or support a containeror containers with a movable bottom end portion, that is inverted totake-up the vacuum and/or create an overpressure in the container. Invarious embodiments, the projection can extend through a portion of thecontainer holder 100. Alternatively, the projection can project inwardfrom the container base and can be moved further inward.

FIG. 2 shows a container holder 100 according to various embodimentshaving positioned therein a container 200.

As shown in FIG. 2, the container 200 is positioned in the inner volume104 of container holder 100. Container 200 can be of any suitable sizeand shape. In various embodiments, container 200 can include one or morerib 202. As will be described in detail later, the one or more rib 202may be positioned below a cut-away portion 111 of the protrusions 110when the container 200 is positioned in the container holder 100. Invarious embodiments, the cut-away portion 111 may prevent the container200 from being removed from the container holder 100 by engaging the oneor more rib 202. Moreover, a predetermined force may be required todisengage the one or more rib 202 from the cut-away portion 111.

Turning back to FIG. 1, which shows a perspective view of containerholder 100 and turning to FIG. 3, which shows a side view of containerholder 100, these figures show that container holder 100 can include atleast one sidewall 102, a base portion 112, and a plurality ofprotrusions 110.

The at least one sidewall 102 can be of any suitable shape and size,including, but not limited to, a hollow cylindrical member having alength L sized to cover a portion of the sidewall of a container 200placed therein.

In addition, at least one sidewall 102 may form an inner volume 104, afirst open end 106, and a second open end 108.

In various embodiments, the at least one sidewall 102 can include aplurality of apertures 114 formed therein. First open end 106 can besized so that container 200 can be positioned on base portion 112, whichmay be at the second open end 108.

Apertures 114 can be any suitable size and shape, and of any suitablenumber. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, apertures 114 can beelongated in a direction parallel to a central longitudinal axis of theat least one sidewall 102. Furthermore, apertures 114 may have roundedends. In various embodiments, apertures 114 may be configured to allowthe transfer of fluid from inner volume 104 to outside the inner volume.The fluid can be any suitable fluid or fluids, including, but notlimited to air, water, etc. In various embodiments the transfer of fluidfrom inner volume 104 to outside the inner volume can cool a container200 placed in the inner volume 104, on base portion 112.

Base portion 112, the outer diameter of which is represented by thehorizontal dashed lines in FIGS. 1 and 3, can be configured to support acontainer 200 positioned thereon. Base portion 112 can be of anysuitable configuration and can be configured at any suitable location.In various embodiments, base portion 112 can be coupled to the at leastone sidewall 102 in the inner volume 104, so as to extend inward fromthe at least one sidewall into the inner volume 104. For example, baseportion 112 can be formed in one piece with the at least one sidewall102 by injection molding or blow molding techniques. Moreover, baseportion 112 can be positioned at or close to second open end 108 (as canbe seen by the dashed horizontal lines).

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of container holder 100. Base portion 112 mayinclude a hollow portion 413 and a plurality of connecting portions 414.Hollow portion 413 can be of any suitable configuration and shape,including, but not limited to, annular, cylindrical, etc. Connectingportions 414 may couple hollow portion 413 to the at least one sidewall102. In various embodiments, hollow portion 413 may be configured toallow access to a vacuum panel or protrusion at the bottom of acontainer 200 placed thereon. For example, hollow portion 413 may beconfigured to allow an actuator to pass through its center to modify ormove a bottom portion of the container 200. Additionally, the actuatormay invert a projection of the container 200 to reduce a vacuum and/orcreate an overpressure in the container 200. In various embodiments, thevacuum may be created by cooling the container 200. In addition, baseportion 112 can be configured to allow fluid, such as water and/or airto pass from the inner volume 104 to outside the inner volume 104.

Protrusions 110 can be of any suitable material, including the samematerial as sidewall 102 and/or base portion 112. In variousembodiments, protrusions 110 can be formed in one piece with sidewall102, and can extend into the inner volume 104. Also, protrusions 110 canbe of any suitable configuration and at any suitable position. Invarious embodiments, the protrusions 110 can be substantially planar andextend substantially in a vertical direction with respect to the lengthof the sidewall 102 from first open end 106 to second open end 108(shown by dashed vertical lines in FIGS. 1 and 3). Additionally, as canbe seen from FIG. 4, protrusions 110 can extend from sidewall 102 intoinner volume 104 at angles.

The angles of the protrusions 110 can be any suitable angle, and theangles can be all substantially the same, all different, or some thesame and some different. For example, though FIG. 4 shows the anglesbeing substantially the same, each of the protrusions 110 can be atangles that are different from angles of other protrusions 110. Anysuitable number of protrusions 110 can be provided. In variousembodiments, the number of protrusions 100 can be the same as the numberof apertures 114. Protrusions 110 can be configured for any suitablepurpose. In various embodiments, protrusions 110 can be configured tospace-apart from sidewall 102 a container placed in the inner volume104.

Protrusions 110 can be of any suitable shape and configuration,including, but not limited to, fins. As shown in FIG. 5, in variousembodiments, protrusion 110 can include a sloped portion 120 and acut-away portion 111. In addition, protrusions 110 can be configured forany suitable purpose and/or function. In various embodiments,protrusions 110 may be configured to frictionally engage any suitableportion of a container 200 placed into the inner volume 104 and/or ontobase portion 112. In various embodiments, protrusions 110 mayfrictionally engage container 200 such that the container is secured inthe container holder 100. For example, the vertically configured portionof protrusion 110 (between sloped portion 120 and cut-away portion 111)may frictionally engage the sidewall of the container 200 to secure thecontainer 200 in the container holder 100.

Sloped portion 120 can be of any suitable configuration, can be at anysuitable location on protrusion 110, and can be configured for anysuitable purpose. In various embodiments, sloped portion 120 can beconfigured to facilitate the registration and/or placement of container200 into the inner volume 104 and onto base portion 112.

Cut-away portion 111 can be of any suitable configuration. As can beseen from FIG. 5, in various embodiments, the cut-away portion 111 mayextend from a bottom portion of the protrusion 110. Moreover, cut-awayportion 111 can be configured for any suitable purpose and/or function.In various embodiments, cut-away portion 111 can be configured to engageany suitable portion of the container 200. For example, when container200 is substantially fully seated in container holder 100, on baseportion 112, cut-away portion 111 may be positioned above one or morerib 202 of container 200. The cut-away portion 111 may prevent thecontainer 200 from being removed from the container holder 100 byengaging the one or more rib 202. Moreover, a predetermined force, suchas a predetermined upward force, may be required to disengage the one ormore rib 202 from the cut-away portion 111 so the container 200 can beremoved from the container holder 100.

FIGS. 6-11C relate to a snap-fit container holder 600 according tovarious embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

Container holder 600 can include a sidewall 602, a base portion 612, aplurality of vertically extending protrusions 620 in the sidewall 602,and a plurality of apertures 614 in the sidewall 602. The sidewall 602can be of any suitable shape and size, including, but not limited to, ahollow cylindrical member having a length sized to cover a portion of asidewall of a container placed therein (see, e.g., FIGS. 11B and 11C).Sidewall 602 may define an inner volume 604, a first open end 606, and asecond open end 608. First open end 606 can be sized to accommodate acontainer's width so that the container can be inserted therethrough inan upright position. Second open end 608 can be defined by the baseportion 612, and base portion 612 is configured so the container canrest in an upright position thereon.

Base portion 612 can be of any suitable configuration. In variousembodiments, base portion 612 can be coupled to the sidewall 602 by wayof an optional intermediate portion 611. Intermediate portion may besolid, or, optionally, it may have apertures, slits or slots, forexample. Such apertures may assist with egress of fluids (e.g., water)from the holder 600 and thus the container during a cooling operation.Egress of fluid from the holder 600 also assists with eliminatingstorage of fluid within the holder 600, which can tend to make theholder heavier during processing.

FIG. 8 shows an overhead view of container holder 600. Base portion 612may include a hollow portion 613 and a plurality of connecting portions615. Hollow portion 613 can be of any suitable configuration and shape,including, but not limited to, annular, cylindrical, ring, etc.Connecting portions 615 may couple hollow portion 613 to the sidewall602. In various embodiments, hollow portion 615 may be configured toallow access to a vacuum panel, movable portion, or protrusion at thebottom of a container placed on the base portion 612. For example,hollow portion 613 may be configured to allow an actuator to passthrough its center to modify or move a bottom portion of the container.For example, the actuator may invert a projection of the container toreduce a vacuum and/or create an overpressure in the container. Inaddition, base portion 112 can be configured to allow fluid, such aswater and/or air to pass from the inner volume 604 to outside the innervolume 604 by way of the second open end 608, for example through thevoids between the connecting portions 615 and/or the internal voidcreated by the hollow portion 613.

Apertures 614 can be any suitable size and shape, and of any suitablenumber. Each aperture 614 may define one or more vertically extendingprotrusions 620. FIGS. 6-11C show two vertically extending protrusions620 for each aperture 614, but various embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter may have only one or three vertically extendingprotrusions 614. In various embodiments, apertures 614 may be configuredto allow the transfer of fluid from inner volume 604 to outside theinner volume (i.e., outside the container). The fluid can be anysuitable fluid or fluids, including, but not limited to air, water, etc.In various embodiments the transfer of fluid from inner volume 604 tooutside the inner volume can cool a container placed in the inner volume604, on base portion 612.

Vertically extending protrusions 620 can be of any suitable shape, size,orientation, or number. Incidentally, though FIGS. 6-11C show thevertically extending protrusions 620 extending upward, the verticallyextending protrusions may extend downward. As such, the correspondingaperture 614 would be rotated by 180 degrees, for example.

Vertically extending protrusions 620 can be of any suitable material,including the same material as sidewall 602 and/or base portion 612. Invarious embodiments, vertically extending protrusions 620 can be formedin one piece with sidewall 602. Optionally, as will be discussed below,each vertically extending protrusion 620 may itself have an inwardlyprotruding portion which can extend into the inner volume 604.

Vertically extending protrusions 620 can be configured for any suitablepurpose and/or function. In various embodiments, vertically extendingprotrusions 620 may be configured to frictionally engage any suitableportion of a container placed into the inner volume 604 and/or onto baseportion 612. In various embodiments, vertically extending protrusions620 may frictionally engage container such that the container is securedin the container holder 600. Furthermore, vertically extendingprotrusions 620 can be configured to retain or assist with retaining acontainer placed in the holder 600. For example, container holder 600 isa snap fit holder, and, as such, vertically extending protrusions 620can be configured to receive and retain the container in snap fitfashion. In various embodiments, the configuration (e.g., geometry,position, orientation, etc.) vertically extending protrusions 620 can bebased on a specific container or containers for use with the holder 600.Optionally, the configuration of the vertically extending protrusions620 can be generic in the sense that they can be used with numerouscontainer configurations.

Though FIGS. 6-11C show all of the vertically extending protrusions 620being the same configuration, some or all of the vertically extendingprotrusions 620 may be different configurations.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C show profile views of exemplary verticallyextending protrusions 620 for use with container holder 600 according tovarious embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

The example vertically extending protrusions 620 can have a horizontallyprotruding portion 621. In various embodiments, the horizontallyprotruding portion may extend into the inner volume 604 of the holder600. Further, the horizontally protruding portion 621 may be configuredbased on a configuration of a container to be held by the holder 600. Invarious embodiments, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10B, for example,the vertically extending protrusions 620 may include a recess 623.Recess 623 also may be configured to mate with a certain containerconfiguration. For example, a protrusion of the container may seatwithin the recess 623. Various embodiments of the vertically extendingprotrusion 620 can also include an angled portion 622. Angled portion622 can create an inward bias as the container is inserted into theholder 600. Thus, the angled portion 622 can assist with retaining thecontainer in the holder 600.

As shown in FIG. 11C, a container may be positioned in the inner volume604 of container holder 600. Container can be of any suitable size andshape. In various embodiments, container can include one or more ribs.As will be described in detail later, the one or more ribs may bepositioned within the container holder 600 so as to frictionally engagethe vertically extending protrusion 620. For example, a rib of thecontainer may be positioned below a horizontally extending protrusion621 of the vertically extending protrusion 620. Thus, the verticallyextending protrusion 620 and specifically the horizontally extendingprotrusion 621 in this particular embodiment may prevent the containerfrom being removed from the container holder 600 by engaging acorresponding rib. Moreover, a predetermined force may be required todisengage the rib from the vertically extending protrusion 620. Thougheach of the vertically extending protrusion 620 is shown with ahorizontal protrusion 621, various embodiments of the verticallyextending protrusions 620 may not have a horizontally extendingprotrusion 621, and, instead have only a recess 632 for engaging thecontainer. Incidentally, FIG. 11C shows a container in holder 600 havinga movable bottom portion that is projecting downward from its base intoan area of the intermediate portion 611. As discussed earlier, theprojection may be pushed upward, into the container body to compensatean internal vacuum of the container.

FIGS. 12 and 13 FIG show flow charts for methods according to variousembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

When hot-filled containers are touching each other during processing,the rate of cooling for the hot-filled product may not be as high as therate of cooling for containers that are spaced apart from otherhot-filled containers. Therefore, more time may be required to coolhot-filled containers when they are touching other hot-filled containersthan when the hot-filled containers are spaced apart. For example, athin walled plastic container being spaced part from other containersmay have increased cooling convection as adjacent containers' heatradiation does not affect that container's convention as much as whenthe containers are placed touching each other.

The spacing apart of containers using container holders may improvecooling efficiency and rate of cooling over instances where no containerholder is used. Increased cooling efficiency and rate of cooling candecrease the time to cool hot-filled containers, thereby speeding upthis portion of production. For example, a container not in a containerholder or not otherwise spaced apart from one or more other containers,may take more time to decrease from about 185 degrees Fahrenheit toabout 100 degrees Fahrenheit than containers in container holders. Forexample, containers not in container holders may take about 20 minutesin a cooling apparatus to decrease from about 185 degrees Fahrenheit toabout 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, containers in containerholders can take between about fourteen to about eighteen minutes in thecooling apparatus to decrease from about 185 degrees Fahrenheit to about100 degrees Fahrenheit.

FIG. 12 shows a method according to various embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter. The method may start at S1201 and continue to S1202. AtS1202, a plurality of containers, of any suitable configuration, may behot-filled with a product. The containers can be filled by any suitablemeans, and the containers can be filled simultaneously or successively.The product can be any suitable product, including, but not limited to,tea, caffeinated beverages, soft drinks, sports drinks, juice drinks,water, etc. Moreover, the product can be filled at any suitabletemperature. In various embodiments, the product can be filled at about185 degrees Fahrenheit.

After S1202, the method can proceed to S1204, where the hot-filledcontainer can be sealed with a cap or a lid, for example. The sealingcan be done by any suitable apparatus and by any suitable means known inthe art. For example, the containers can be capped simultaneously orsuccessively.

After S1204, the method may proceed to S1206. At S1206, a plurality ofcontainers are placed in respective container holders, such as thoseshown and described herein. In various embodiments, the containers canbe placed on base portions of the container holders. Also, although FIG.12 shows S1206 occurring after S1202 and S1204, the placement of thecontainers in container holders can occur before hot-filling andcapping, or between the hot-filling and the capping operations.

After S1206, the method may proceed to S1208. At S1208, containerholders having respective containers placed thereon or therein can bepositioned such that each of the container holders is in contact withany suitable number of other container holders. In their respectivecontainer holders, each of the containers is in a spaced-apartrelationship with all of the other containers in their respectivecontainer holder.

The container holders can be positioned at any suitable point in themethod. For example, even though FIG. 12 shows S1208 occurring aftersteps S1202-S1206, the container holders can be positioned beforeplacing the containers thereon. In various embodiments, the containersplaced on respective container holders at S1208 can be hot-filled andcapped. Additionally, the container holders, with or without containers,may be accumulated or positioned on a conveyor for transport to a nextoperation in the production line. The container holders may bepositioned or arranged on a conveyor or other transport means in anysuitable configuration, such as in a single file line, either touchingor slightly apart.

The method may then proceed to S1210. At S1210, the accumulated and/orpositioned containers in their respective container holders can becooled by any suitable cooling means. In various embodiments the productin the containers can be cooled from a hot state to a warm state.Moreover, at least one of the hot state and the warm state may bepredetermined. The respective hot and warm states can be any suitablestate. For example, the hot state may be about 185 degrees Fahrenheitand the warm state may be about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

As noted above, the product may be cooled from the hot state to a warmstate by any suitable means. In various embodiments, the containers andassociated container holders may be passed through, for example, atunnel in which a fluid, such as water, may be sprayed in a shower-likefashion to cool the container to a warm state. The fluid can be at anysuitable temperature for cooling the product in the container 200. Forexample, the fluid can be at room temperature. As another example, thefluid can be at a temperature colder than room temperature. Generally,in this context, about 90 degrees Fahrenheit to about 100 degreesFahrenheit may be characterized as “room temperature.” However, roomtemperature is not limited to being at or between the aforementionedtemperatures, and can be any suitable temperature designated as roomtemperature. Moreover, a temperature lower than room temperature may be,for example, about 65 degrees Fahrenheit to about 75 degrees Fahrenheit.Like room temperature above, the temperature below room temperature canbe any suitable temperature designated as below room temperature.

Fluid, such as water may be supplied to cool the hot-product in thecontainer from any suitable direction to the container, including, butnot limited to, the top only, both the top and bottom, the side, or anycombination thereof. In various embodiments, the water can be applied inthe form of a rain shower. Water that is supplied to the container tocool the hot-filled product can exit in the container holder in anysuitable way. In various embodiments, fluid, such as water, may exitthrough sidewall apertures, and/or through an open end of the baseportion of the container.

The cooling can last for any suitable period. For example, in variousembodiments, the time period for cooling the hot-filled product from thehot state to a warm state is about fourteen minutes to about eighteenminutes. As another example, in various embodiments, the time period forsubjecting the containers to fluid such that the product is cooled froma hot state to a cool state may be no more than about eighteen minutes.

The temperature of the containers and/or products in the containers canbe measured by any suitable means and at any suitable position orpositions. For example, a temperature probe or probes can be utilized tomeasure the temperature at one or more containers.

Cooling the product may create a vacuum in the container, and the methodmay proceed to S1212.

As S1212, a bottom end portion of the container can be moved or causedto move to compensate for the vacuum in the container. For example, thebottom end portion may move or be drawn inward by the force of thevacuum itself. Optionally or alternatively, a mechanical apparatus, suchas a push rod may extend through the bottom open end of the containerholder to move the bottom end portion of the container. In variousembodiments, the bottom end portion may be inverted to compensate forthe internal vacuum. In various embodiments the container can have aprojection, and the projection can extend into or through a base portionon the container holder, but not such that it extends beyond the bottomopening of the container holder. The projection can be moved, forexample, inverted, in order to compensate for the vacuum in thecontainer. Vacuum compensation by moving or movement of the bottom endportion can include reduce the vacuum within the container, eliminatingthe vacuum within the container, or creating an overpressure in thecontainer.

After S1212, the method may proceed to any suitable operation. Forexample, the method may proceed to S1214 where the method ends. Notethat further processing of the container and/or container holder canoccur, such as separation of the container from the container holder.

The method of FIG. 13 will now be described. The method may begin atS1301 and proceed through steps S1302, S1304, and S1306. Theaforementioned steps can be substantially as described above withrespect to steps S1202, S1204, and S1206 of FIG. 12 and will not bedescribed again. The method may then proceed to S1308. At S1308, groupsof container holders and associated containers can be formed. Anysuitable number of groups can be formed and any suitable number ofcontainer holders and associated containers can form each group. Forexample, seven container holders and associated containers can form eachgroup. The method may then proceed to S1310.

At S1310, the container holders and associated containers can bepositioned or arranged. The container holders and associated containerscan be positioned or arranged in any suitable configuration. Forexample, the container holders and associated containers can bepositioned as shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 shows an overhead view of a positioning of a group 1400 ofcontainers 1402 such that each container 1402 is spaced-apart from allof the other containers. The means by which the containers 1402 can bespaced-apart from each other may be container holders 1404. In variousembodiments, the container holders 1404 can be the same as orsubstantially the same as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5.Alternatively, the container holders 1404 can be the same as orsubstantially the same as described above with respect to FIGS. 6-11.

As can be seen in FIG. 14, a container holder 1404 can be associatedwith each container 1402, with each container holder 1404 beingconfigured to receive one container 1402 positioned thereon. Thecontainer holders 1404 and associated containers 1402 can be of anysuitable number and can be accumulated or positioned in any suitableconfiguration. For example, FIG. 14 shows seven container holders 1404and associated containers 1402, wherein the configuration can include acenter container holder 1404 a (and associated container 1402 a)surrounded by, and in contact with, six container holder/containercombinations 1404/1402. In various embodiments, only the containerholders 1404 are in contact with other container holders 1404. Forexample, each of the container holders 1404 surrounding the centercontainer holder 1404 a can be in contact with at least three of theother container holders 1404, including the center container holder 1404a. In addition, in various embodiments, the container holders 1404 canbe banded together by any suitable means, such as a band or bands of anysuitable construction and material.

The method may then proceed to S1312. At S1312 the groups of containerholders and associated containers and products therein can be cooled. Invarious embodiments, the product can be cooled from a hot state to awarm state, substantially as described above with respect to FIG. 12.The groups of containers can be cooled by any suitable means. In variousembodiments, the groups of containers can be fed through a cooler, afan, waterspray, or the like. Furthermore, the time period for coolingthe product from a hot state to a warm state can substantially asdescribed above for FIG. 12. For example, the time period for coolingfrom the hot state to the warm state may be about fourteen minutes toabout eighteen minutes. Also similar to as described above for FIG. 12,conveying each group through the fluid may be for no longer than abouteighteen minutes.

The method may then proceed to any suitable step. For example, themethod may proceed to S1314 where the method ends. Alternatively, forexample, the method may proceed to a step where movable portions of thecontainers are moved or caused to move in order to reduce respectivevacuum in the containers. Movement of the container bottom end portionsmay occur substantially simultaneously or separately for each container.In various embodiments the containers may be rearranged, for example ina single file line, prior to moving or causing movement of the bottomend portion of the container.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart for a method 1500 of processing containers atdifferent speeds, depending upon whether or not container holders areused. Hot-filled containers that are spaced apart may cool faster thanhot-filled containers that are not spaced and are instead in directcontact with other hot-filled containers. Thus, when container holdersare used to separate hot-filled containers the containers may coolfaster than without container holders.

According to various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, amethod of cooling, using a cooling machine or apparatus that processesthe containers as they cool, may be performed at different speeds whenthe containers are combined with container holders and when thecontainers are not combined with container holders, but are in contactwith other containers. Thus, the same cooling machine or apparatus maybe operated at different speeds for containers combined with containerholders and for containers not combined with container holder. Invarious embodiments, the changeover between speeds can be performedautomatically and autonomously, for example via a computerized systemand sensors, based on detection of a change from processing ofcontainers with container holders to containers without containerholders and vice versa. Containers with holders and containers withoutholders can be arranged in any suitable sequence. For example,containers with holders and containers without holders may alternatesuccessively. Alternatively, a group of containers with holders can becooling-processed at a first speed and then a group of containerswithout holders can be cooling-processed at a second speed. In variousembodiments, the speed of processing containers with holders can begreater than the speed of processing containers without holders. Thus,the cooling machine or apparatus may be operated at a faster processingrate with containers and holders versus containers without holders.Incidentally, cooling-processing, in addition to involving cooling ofthe container, can also involve compensating for vacuum forces withinthe container, such as movement (e.g., inversion) of a bottom endportion of each of the containers.

Referring specifically to FIG. 15, method 1500 can begin at S1501 andproceed to S1502, wherein a first container or a first group ofcontainers is received. The first container or group of containers mayor may not have corresponding container holders. So at S1503 it isdetermined whether the first container or first group of containers havecontainer holders. Such determination can be performed continuously,automatically, and autonomously by a computerized system, for example.If yes at S1503, the method 1500 can proceed to S1504, wherein coolingprocessing (e.g., movement, vacuum compensation, etc.) of the firstcontainer or first group of containers can be performed at a first speedor rate. After S1504, the method can proceed to S1506 where a secondcontainer or group of containers without container holders is received.It is determined that the second container or group of containers do nothave container holders and the method S1500 can cooling process (e.g.,move, vacuum compensate, etc.) the second container or second group ofcontainers at a second speed or rate at S1508. In various embodiments,the first speed or rate is faster than the second speed or rate. Themethod may proceed to S1510, or it may loop back continuously to S1501.

If no at S1503, the method 1500 can proceed to S1505, wherein coolingprocessing (e.g., movement, vacuum compensation, etc.) of the firstcontainer or first group of containers can be performed at a first speedor rate. After S1505, the method can proceed to S1507 where a secondcontainer or group of containers with container holders is received. Itis determined that the second container or group of containers havecontainer holders and the method S1500 can cooling process (e.g., move,vacuum compensate, etc.) the second container or second group ofcontainers at a second speed or rate at S1509. In various embodiments,the second speed or rate is faster than the first speed or rate. Themethod may proceed to S1510, or it may loop back continuously to S1501.

While the disclosed subject matter has been described in conjunctionwith a number of embodiments, the disclosed subject matter is not to belimited to the description of the embodiments contained herein, butrather is defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.It is further evident that many alternatives, modifications, andvariations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in theapplicable arts. Accordingly, all such alternatives, modifications,equivalents, and variations that are within the spirit and scope of thisdisclosed subject matter.

1. A container holder, comprising: a cylindrical sidewall forming aninner volume, a first open end, and a second open end; a base portionformed in one piece with said cylindrical sidewall at the second openend, said base portion extending from said cylindrical sidewall into theinner volume and including a hollow cylindrical portion concentric withsaid cylindrical sidewall and a plurality of connecting portionscoupling said hollow cylindrical portion to said cylindrical sidewall;and a plurality of slanted protrusions formed in one piece with saidcylindrical sidewall, said protrusions extending into the inner volumeat acute angles from said cylindrical sidewall and being configured tospace-apart from the cylindrical sidewall a container placed in theinner volume, wherein the cylindrical sidewall includes a plurality ofapertures formed therein, each said aperture being configured to allowfluid to flow from the inner volume to the outside of the cylindricalsidewall to cool the container placed in the inner volume.
 2. Thecontainer holder of claim 1, wherein each said protrusion includes acut-away portion, said cut-away portion being configured to prevent thecontainer placed in the inner volume from being removed from the innervolume.
 3. The container holder of claim 1, wherein the angles of saidprotrusions are substantially the same for each protrusion.
 4. Thecontainer holder of claim 1, wherein a number of the plurality ofprotrusions is the same as a number of the plurality of apertures. 5.The container holder of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusionsare fins, each said fin including a cut-away portion configured toprevent the container placed in the inner volume from being removed fromthe inner volume.
 6. The container holder of claim 1, wherein each saidaperture is elongated in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis ofsaid cylindrical sidewall.
 7. The container holder of claim 1, whereinsaid base portion is configured to allow access to a vacuum panel of thecontainer placed in the inner volume.
 8. An apparatus, comprising: atleast one sidewall forming an inner volume, a first open end, and asecond open end, the at least one sidewall including fluid transfermeans for transferring fluid between the inner volume and outside theinner volume, the fluid transfer means located intermediate the firstand second ends; and supporting means for supporting a containerpositioned thereon, said supporting means being formed integrally withthe at least one sidewall at the second open end, so as to extend fromthe at least one sidewall into the inner volume.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising spacing means, wherein said spacing meansincludes retaining means for retaining the plastic container withininner volume.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the fluid transfermeans is configured to allow water to flow from the inner volume to theoutside of the sidewall to cool a container placed in the inner volumeon said supporting means.
 11. A system for processing plasticcontainers, comprising: hot-filling means for hot-filling a plurality ofplastic containers with a product; capping means for capping thehot-filled plastic containers; placing means for placing the plasticcontainers on respective container holding means for holding the plasticcontainers; positioning means for positioning said container holdingmeans having respective hot-filled and capped plastic containers placedthereon, such that each said container holding means is in contact withat least three other of said container holding means, and such that eachplastic container is in a spaced-apart relationship with all other ofthe positioned plastic containers; and cooling means for cooling thehot-filled product in the positioned plastic containers from a hot stateto a predetermined warm state, wherein each said container holding meansincludes: at least one sidewall forming an inner volume, a first openend, and a second open end, the at least one sidewall including fluidtransfer means for transferring fluid between the inner volume andoutside the inner volume; container supporting means for supporting theplastic container positioned thereon, said container supporting meansbeing formed in one piece with the at least one sidewall at the secondopen end, so as to extend from the at least one sidewall into the innervolume; and spacing means for spacing the plastic container positionedon said container supporting means from the at least one sidewall. 12.The system according to claim 11, wherein the hot state is about 185degrees Fahrenheit and the predetermined warm state is about 100 degreesFahrenheit.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein a time period for thehot-filled product to cool from the hot state to the predetermined warmstate is about fourteen minutes to about eighteen minutes.
 14. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein said cooling includes subjecting thehot-filled and capped plastic containers to room temperature water. 15.The system of claim 14, wherein said subjecting to room temperaturewater lasts for no more than about eighteen minutes.
 16. The system ofclaim 11, wherein said cooling includes subjecting the hot-filled andcapped plastic containers to water cooler than room temperature.
 17. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the fluid transfer means is configured toallow water to flow from the inner volume to the outside of the sidewallto assist in the cooling.
 18. A method of cooling groups of hot-filledcontainers, comprising: a step for hot-filling a plurality of plasticcontainers with a product; a step for capping the hot-filled plasticcontainers; a step for placing the plastic containers on respectivecontainer holders; a step for forming a plurality of groups from theplurality of plastic containers and associated container holders, eachsaid group including at least two of said plastic containers andassociated container holders; for each group, a step for positioning thecontainer holders having respective hot-filled and capped plasticcontainers placed thereon, such that each container holder is in contactwith other container holders of said group, and such that each plasticcontainer of the group is in a spaced-apart relationship with all otherof said plastic containers in the group; and a step for successivelyconveying each said group of positioned, hot-filled, and capped plasticcontainers in container holders through room temperature water, suchthat the hot-filled product in the containers is cooled from a hot stateto a warm state.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the plurality ofplastic containers and associated container holders is seven, saidpositioning further including: positioning, at a center position, one ofthe container holders and associated plastic container; and positioningthe remaining six container holders and associated plastic containers ofsaid seven, such that the remaining six container holders surround, andare in contact with, the centrally positioned container holder.
 20. Themethod of claim 18, wherein each said container holder includes: acylindrical sidewall forming an inner volume, a first open end, and asecond open end; a base portion formed in one piece with the cylindricalsidewall at the second open end, said base portion extending from thecylindrical sidewall into the inner volume, including a hollowcylindrical portion concentric with the cylindrical sidewall and aplurality of connecting portions coupling the hollow cylindrical portionto the cylindrical sidewall; and a plurality of protrusions formed inone piece with the cylindrical sidewall, each said protrusion extendingat an angle from the sidewall into the inner volume, wherein thecylindrical sidewall includes a plurality of apertures formed therein.